Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
Issue link: https://digital.thesafetymag.com/i/1215684
E D I T O R I A L MY mother-in-law, sister-in-law and best friend are all teachers. Needless to say, it really hit home for me when I started seeing media reports popping up about the violence that educators experience on a daily basis. Initially, I assumed it was just a problem in certain schools in certain parts of the country; however, statistics, anecdotes and union campaigns have emerged from all across Canada stating that this is a widespread problem. I was shocked to hear about the Kevlar teachers and educational assistants are wearing and the harassment and derogatory comments they are facing — and even more shocked at the fact that the vast majority of this treatment is coming from students. It's clear we have a real problem here. As all safety professionals know, violence in the workplace is simply unacceptable. Unfortunately, this lesson does not seem to be getting through to a lot of school boards, or even teachers themselves who believe this treatment is "just part of the job." I understand the students' education is the priority, but they won't be learning much if their teachers are constantly off work with injuries or mental health issues stemming from violence and harassment on the job. A lot of the necessary changes need to come from the government level with more funding for student supports, but there is a lot that safety professionals, administrators and school boards can do in the meantime. Read more on page 26. I recently sat down with a panel of employment lawyers from across the country to find out what cases were the most significant for safety professionals from 2019. It's hard to keep up with the constant changes and ensuring you are not just protecting your workers but protecting your organization, too, so I hope this roundup on page 19 can help shine some light on the key issues. You will no doubt notice that this magazine looks different — the Key Media team has been hard at work to bring you a fresher, cleaner COS. We've also dedicated more pages to fines and penalties, products and services and the industry profile (formerly the up close column). I hope you like the facelift! Lastly, this is my final issue of COS before embarking on the new, very exciting journey of being a mother. My husband and I are expecting our first child — a baby girl — shortly after this issue goes to press. I have to admit it is very strange to step away from this publication for an entire year — which some would argue I treated as my first baby! — but I am beyond thrilled to meet our daughter and start this next chapter. In my absence, Maia Foulis will be taking over as editor of COS. I'm sure she will take good care of the publication as she is eager to learn all about the safety industry and get to know you, our valued reader. She can be reached at maia.foulis@keymedia.com. I hope the following year treats you all well and I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into your safety community and helping me learn the ropes over the past 6.5 years. Take care and stay safe, Amanda Silliker, editor, Canadian Occupational Safety Being schooled on violence Contents of Canadian Occupational Safety are copyright © 2020 HAB Press Limited and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. HAB Press Limited disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. HST/GST # 70318 4911 RT0001 Canada Post – Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 41261516 International Standard Serial Number 0008-4611. The publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, colour transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts or other materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Canadian Occupational Safety is published six times yearly by HAB Press Limited, KEY MEDIA and the KEY MEDIA logo are trademarks of Key Media IP Limited, and used under license by HAB Press Limited. CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY is a trademark of HAB Press Limited. 20 Duncan St. 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON. M5H 3G8 www.cos-mag.com Issue dates are March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December, January/February. Subscription price: Canada: $69 plus tax; US: $69,International: $96 Canadian Occupational Safety makes every effort to ensure accuracy in all items reported, but cannot accept responsibility for the representations or claims made by sources used. It is also not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. EDITORIAL Editor Amanda Silliker Writers Linda Johnson Jim Wilson Columnists Cathy Chandler Cheryl A. Edwards Dave Fennell Glyn Jones Production Editor Patricia Cancilla ART & PRODUCTION Art Director Marla Morelos Production Coordinator Jacqueline D'Souza Cover Photo Jason Ferber Photography SALES & ADVERTISING Fred Crossley fred.crossley@keymedia.com 416 644 8740 ext. 236 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Guy Chenard, CRSP, C.E.T. Safety Consultant Dave Gouthro, CRSP, CHSC, CHSO Occupational Health & Safety Consulting David Johnston, CRSP Director, EHS, Toronto Hydro Eldeen Pozniak, CHSC, CHSMSA, CRSP, Director, Pozniak Safety Associates Laura Rourke, CRSP, Peng, TSRP EHSS manager, Tigercat Industries Dan Strand, CRSP, CIH, ROH Director, Prevention Field Services, WorkSafeBC ISSUE 58.01 www.thesafetymag.com/ca OCCUPATIONALSAFETY CANADIAN Printed in 3 www.thesafetymag.com/ca Quick-Switch ® is the only tool tethering system in the world that will maintain 100% connection at all times, even during tool transfer. STAY CONNECTED Check out more from Stronghold puresafetygroup.com/stronghold